CONCLUDING SUMMARY

ATMOSPHERE

Africa is extremely vulnerable to climate variability and climate change. Climate
variability means the seasonal and annual variations in temperature and rainfall
and their distribution within and between countries. Climate change refers to
long-term changes in global weather patterns resulting from changes in the composition
of the atmosphere brought about by emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG).

Figure 2s.1: Atmosphere issues for Africa

Africa's climate is characterized by considerable variability and by extreme
climatic events such as droughts, floods, and cyclones. These have particularly
serious consequences for Africa because of the difficulties experienced in the
region in predicting their occurrence and in mitigating their effects, and also
because many African countries lack the financial resources to make adequate
and timely recovery before the next climatic event. The countries of the Horn
of Africa and the Sahel are most prone to drought; those of Western and Central
Africa experience flooding periodically. Cyclones occur regularly in the islands
of the Western Indian Ocean.

Climate change is likely to bring increased frequency and severity of flooding
and drought to those areas already experiencing variability in rainfall. Additional
concerns are increased risk of desertification in Northern Africa and on the
southern border of the Sahel, and reduced availability of freshwater in Southern
Africa, resulting in lowered food security and the spread of infectious diseases
(notably malaria) to new areas. The islands and low-lying coastal areas of Central
and Western Africa are most vulnerable to the sea level rise resulting from
climate change. Coral bleaching due to sea temperature rise is the biggest threat
to the Western Indian Ocean Islands and to the coasts of the countries of Eastern
Africa.

Africa's contribution to global GHG emissions is negligible, with the exception
of emissions from South Africa and the countries of Northern Africa, which together
account for the majority of the Africa region's GHG emissions. However, activities
such as deforestation, inappropriate coastal development, and poor land management
throughout Africa contribute to worsening of possible impacts of climate change
such as drought, desertification, flooding, and sea level rise.

Low air quality is also emerging as an issue in many African countries, particularly
the more urbanized and industrialized. In large cities, populations are at risk
from respiratory infections caused by emissions from industry and vehicles and-in
both urban and rural areas-from the use of wood, coal, oil, paraffin and other
such fuels used for domestic consumption, and creating unhealthy indoor conditions.

Urgent action is required to develop alternative, clean, and renewable sources
of energy for Africa to avoid increasing GHG emissions and to stem widespread
deforestation. The Kyoto Protocol makes provision for funding streams to facilitate
such development. Figure 2s.1 shows the major issues relating
to atmosphere for Africa.